San Jose State still has path to WAC title

SAN JOSE -- San Jose State's chances of winning a Western Athletic Conference title will be a lot clearer by the time the Spartans kick off Saturday at 7:30 p.m. against BYU.

The game of the week in the WAC is at 1 p.m. when Louisiana Tech hosts Utah State. A win by the visiting Aggies likely delivers a knockout blow to SJSU's title hopes.

"We'll watch with anticipation," Spartans coach Mike MacIntyre said of the matchup of WAC unbeatens. "We want both teams to play well, but of course, we would like Louisiana Tech to win."

If the No. 19 Bulldogs (9-1, 4-0 WAC) beat Utah State (8-2, 4-0), SJSU could earn a share of its first WAC title with a victory over Louisiana Tech on Nov. 24.

But a win by the Aggies would almost assuredly give Utah State the outright title. The Aggies close the regular season the following week against woeful Idaho.

"We'll be thinking about it, but we'll have our minds set on the BYU game for sure," MacIntyre said.

The game with BYU was pushed from 1 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. three weeks ago when ESPN announced it would broadcast the game. It will air nationally on ESPN2 and MacIntyre is hoping for a big crowd.

"We'd love all of our people to be here and be here in full force," he said. "We expect our whole student body to be here loud and cheering."

Senior tight end Ryan Otten was named one of eight semifinalists for the John Mackey Award, which goes to the nation's top tight end. The 6-foot-5, 245-pound Otten has 36 catches for 556 yards and three touchdowns this season.

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"He is a great athlete," MacIntyre said of Otten. "I haven't been around anyone in college as good as him ever. He has the ability to catch the football and run and do all the things he can do."

Junior cornerback Bené Benwikere earned his second WAC Defensive Player of the Week award for his performance in the 47-7 win over New Mexico State. He returned a fumble 37 yards for a touchdown and also had an interception, six tackles and two tackles for loss.

Benwikere and quarterback David Fales also earned recognition from the College Football Performance Awards. Both were named honorable mention performers of the week at their positions.

Fales completed 12 of 18 passes for 276 yards and four touchdowns. His 25 touchdown passes this season ties an SJSU school record. He also leads the nation in completion percentage at 72.4.